An Executive Planfor Troubled Travel

Traveling on business can be problematic enough without having to worry about the country you're going to being a disaster zone, a haven for criminals, or an anti-American political hot spot. The easiest thing to do would be to avoid these places, but deal prospects and contract commitments will force executives and entrepreneurs to venture to places they'd rather only read about in the news.

Portfolio.com: The earthquakes in Chile and Haiti were totally unexpected. How can executives really plan for every possible crisis when they're away on a routine business trip and tragedy strikes?

Christopher Falkenberg: Executives have to take an "all hazards" approach. Think of the broadest range of problems—flood, fire, earthquake, terrorist attack, etc. Essentially, they will all need the same thing: effective communication, clean water, physical safety, flashlight, medical supplies, N95 mask, etc. Instead of a separate checklist for every possible crisis, think in terms of the common elements of what you'll need in any emergency and how you can prepare for it. It helps when thinking about the "result" of an emergency versus the actual event itself.

Portfolio.com: Some executives have to go into a damaged region shortly after a catastrophe happens. What are the top tips executives should know if they find themselves in this situation?

Falkenberg: Executives who are traveling into a damaged region after the catastrophe are actually in good shape because they know in advance what they need because of the nature of the event. Generally speaking, they should travel with clean water and/or means of cleaning water, redundant communications systems (satellite phones), good flashlights, etc. They should do some advance research on security. In other words, find out if law enforcement is in control of the region, are they getting support from their government, what is the communications and power supplies, etc. They should also understand the status of air and ground transportation and have contingency plans in case major roadways and transportation hubs shut down.

Portfolio.com: What trends are you seeing today with executives who travel? Are they taking more precautions or are they taking more risks when they travel?

Falkenberg: We are seeing greater cognizance on the threat of travel. Risk has not gone up (in some cases violent crime and kidnapping have) but executives have a greater understanding and means of preparing and dealing with that risk and the steps one can take to make travel safer.

Portfolio.com: Are there some countries or cities you'd advise someone not to travel to? What's the most dangerous place an American executive can go today?

Falkenberg: Former Soviet countries can be very dangerous; parts of Mexico, Nigeria and central Africa, Sao Paulo all have high instances of crime and kidnapping. We wouldn't advise not going to these places—but if you do go, you need to take proper precautions.

Portfolio.com: When an executive is looking at the question of flying commercially or flying on a private charter, what factors should they consider? How important is cost as a factor?

Falkenberg: The cost of private aviation is expensive—but it does have many safety advantages that commercial jets don't have. There are no screening problems with private jets, meaning no one will try to detonate their shoe or underpants in order to take down the plane. Executives also have more leeway with regard to changing flight plans and getting out of a dangerous location more quickly. There are certain elements of private air travel that don't necessarily decrease risk. For example, those pulling into a small airport in a large private jet will attract more attention than someone merely stepping off a commercial jet. That said, private jet travel does sway the security factor to one's advantage.

Portfolio.com: In terms of your own business, how competitive of a landscape is the travel-security business?

Falkenberg: Not very competitive for what we do, which is very customized security consulting. But for general security with site-specific guidance, there is lots of competition—but they tend to focus on the "location" and not the "person." We deal with security consulting in a huge amount of detail, specificity, research, and in very close partnership with our clients.

Portfolio.com: How much does it cost for an executive or a company to use your services?

Falkenberg: Generally, our retainer-based clients are anywhere between $6,000 and $10,000 per month, and travel-security project consulting usually starts at $10,000 depending on the project.

Portfolio.com: When you travel, do you practice what you preach? Are there certain rules you always follow when you're on the road?

Falkenberg: I absolutely practice what I preach! Because of my profession (and my former profession as a Secret Service agent), I'm always planning for disaster. I always travel with a smoke mask filled with aloe, which filters toxic chemicals out of smoke, a redundant form of communication, and a lithium-cell flashlight. I always know where the exits are on any plane, hotel room, or train. As far as hotels go, I only stay on floors three through seven in non-lobby-facing rooms. This way, fire ladders can reach you in case of fire, and if the hotel is the target of an attack, the most likely epicenter of that attack would be the lobby.

Executive Bio:

Christopher Falkenberg

In 2002, Christopher Falkenberg combined his past endeavors and talents as a Secret Service agent and an attorney to create Insite Security, a full-service security agency to address the security needs and protection of corporations and high-net-worth individuals.

Following his graduation from Kenyon College, Mr. Falkenberg was appointed a Special Agent of the United States Secret Service and assigned to the New York Field Office. While with the Secret Service, he conducted numerous protective advances for the president and other dignitaries both here and abroad. In 1992, he was assigned to President Clinton's security detail for the 1992 presidential campaign.

Mr. Falkenberg also led investigations of major fraud cases, including sophisticated identity theft and financial crimes. Among his awards and citations, he received the Treasury Department's Special Service Award and was recognized for heroism following the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

After spending five years as a Secret Service agent, Mr. Falkenberg attended Columbia Law School and was a law clerk to a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. He then joined Davis Polk & Wardwell, a large New York law firm, as a litigator where he conducted corporate internal investigations and was involved in a wide range of civil and criminal matters.